Big Sur California, Lodging, Camping Tourism Information Contact Us Bixby Bridge. Photo by Stan Russell Welcome to Big Sur, California. This is the official, complete, and definitive travel guide to all lodging , camping , restaurants , gift shops & art galleries in Big Sur; The ultimate travel resource and guide to California's central coast and your complete Big Sur Visitors Bureau. It's time to plan your winter and springtime getaway to Big Sur. Wildflowers always seem to be blooming, California Condors are flying overhead throughout Big Sur. California Sea Otters are rafting in the kelp beds. These are just a few of the natural wonders that make Big Sur a great place to visit. Come on out and watch the natural magic unfold before your eyes, and create your own. Preserve Big Sur Scenic Beauty For Generations To Come Big Sur is a special place to many people. To help keep it as pristine as possible and to ensure your own safety, please observe these sustainable practices and follow these rules of the road and basic safety tips.

American National Scenic Byway & California Scenic Highway Highway 1 through Big Sur is a designated American National Scenic Byway & California Scenic Highway, an honor reserved for highways that are so distinctive they are destinations unto themselves. Caltrans has created a toll-free hotline for road conditions for Highway 1 in Big Sur. Call (888) 836-0866 for information about traffic delays and road closures. The Big Sur Blog for Hwy 1 News Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary The Monterey Bay National Marine Sancturary is a Federally protected marine area offshore of California's central coast. Stretching from Marin to Cambria the MBNMS encompasses a shoreline length of 276 miles and 4,601 square nautical miles of ocean. Big Sur, offering the best lodging in Monterey County and the best lodging in California. Big Sur also offers the "Best Restaurant in California." From Big Sur luxury hotels and spas to rustic creekside campgrounds we believe Big Sur offers The Best in a wide variety of possibilities and we think you'll agree. Join us for a romantic getaway and come share with us one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world.

Things to do in Big Sur State Park sponsored activities are offered from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend and include a campfire program, Junior Rangers (children 7-12 years), Ranger Cub (children 6 and under), local lighthouse tours and many activites for the whole family. State Parks also sponsors whale watching each weekend at the Vista Point one-mile north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, January through February. Local Hiking From beaches to mountains... Hike along the streams in the cool, tree lined valleys. Climb up on the high ridges for a spectacular view of the coastline on the western slope and gaze into three million acres of wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest on the eastern slope. Evenings offer the opportunity to dine in restaurants from fanciful to exquisite. Relax in lodging that ranges from rustic to luxurious. Camp out in the many well equipped campgrounds. Luxuriate at the local health spas. And of course one of the favorite past-times of Big Sur, Do Nothing! Check the Calendar of Events page for local music, whale watching, festivals, marathons, lighthouse tours and many other events. That's right. Relax and take in the magnificent beauty of Big Sur.

Once you are here there is no reason to do anything more. Replenish your spirit by simply absorbing the weepingly beautiful vistas of Big Sur. Do Nothing in Big Sur and leave refreshed and rejuvenated from head to toe. Big Sur has been here for millions of years. We don't have that luxury. Make your reservation today! AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS: Traveler's Choice Award Winner for Top 25 Destinations in the United States. In other awards, Big Sur was voted "Best Place to Play Hookie," and "Best Romantic Getaway." Big Sur is also home of the "Best Marathon in North America" and the "Best Hotel in North America." Adding to our 'best of' list, Big Sur is now home to the "Best Restaurant in California," per the Zagat Survey. National Geographic Traveler listed Big Sur as one of the "50 Places of a Lifetime/The World's Greatest Destinations." Consistently a 'top pick' for weekend getaways and fantasy vacations." About The Local Weather It is here in Big Sur that I first learned how to say Amen ~ Henry Miller Local weather information for Big Sur including hourly forecast, averages and records, and detailed forecast.

Evenings can offer spectacularly clear skies, which are perfect for star gazing. Bring layers of clothing because at this time of year it can be sunny in the afternoon and very cool in the evening. 14 Things You Need To Know Before Driving California's Big Sur | The Huffington Post 14 Things You Need To Know Before Driving California's Big Sur 04/15/2014 12:01 pm ET | Updated Mar 10, 2016 850 David Landsel Travel writer, contributing editor at Airfarewatchdog.com The rugged stretch of California coastline between San Simeon and Carmel has always done its best to ward off interlopers. Even the otherwise-ambitious Spaniards gave it a miss at first. Centuries later, there was still no road through the land that explorers referred to as "el país grande del sur," which may or may not translate roughly as "that place where the parking was so bad, we left and went somewhere else." When the project to build what would become the most adored segment of California's Highway 1 was finally started, it took 18 years to complete.

Residents, what few there were, remained largely off the grid until the 1950s. Today, visitors to Big Sur can glide through roughly 85 miles of stunning scenery in a couple of hours, but the region remains an overwhelming and somewhat unknowable place to many. It's crowded, for starters -- Big Sur after all, is right up there with New York's Times Square on the list of must-sees for many visitors to the United States, let alone us Americans. In addition, many attempt to simply wing it, not realizing how easily the best bits can be missed entirely. Muddling through is fine, but to really get something out of the experience, it's best to come prepared. After years of driving this fabled stretch of road pretty much every way it can be driven, here's what I wish I'd known at the outset. 1) If you're in a rush, take the freeway. Big Sur is not something to be checked off on a list of things to do in California. California takes a lifetime to experience properly. That's what makes California great. Give Big Sur at least a day, for goodness' sake. If you can't do that, you're not going to get much out your visit.

2) Plan ahead. Forget Google Maps, forget the apps, forget your phone entirely -- service drops off pretty much instantly and stays scarce the entire route. If you want to know what the best hikes are, where the best food is, which state parks you can skip and which ones you absolutely have to brake for, you need to find that out in advance. Just like in ancient (pre-2007) times. 3) Overnighting is not essential. While you shouldn't rush through, a full day is actually plenty of time for a first visit to Big Sur. Some people will disagree, but some people have a lot more time on their hands than most, which is really nice for them. Staying over is great but it's inevitably going to be too expensive. Maybe you'll love that $300/night rustic rental cabin 20 minutes from the coastline, or that $1,000 room at the Post Ranch Inn. Perhaps you'll go home and tear your house apart because you liked the retro-fab interiors at Glen Oaks so much and want to copy them. That's great. But there's no denying the fact that your money's going to go a lot further, the moment you leave.

And, when you leave, it's not like you're crossing the Hudson River into Secaucus. You're heading toward other parts of California's incredible coastline. Don't be mad. 4) If you do stay over, be smart. On the high end, it's always the Post Ranch Inn over Ventana -- Post Ranch has the best location of any hotel along the coastline. On the low end, it's probably Treebones Resort above all else, but don't overspend there. It's essentially camping -- sometimes it's literally camping. Beyond that, the classic Big Sur Lodge, inside Pfeiffer State Park, is a good bet when you can get a decent rate. For a place of your own, take a look at Airbnb.com and Flipkey.com, where you can sometimes find views for a fraction of what you'll at a hotel. Finally, consider the New Camaldoli Hermitage, a monastery with a prime mountainside location. New Camaldoli is not for everyone -- actually, it's not for most people -- but if silence, simplicity and a total disconnect from the outside world is what you're after, a stay here can be a remarkable experience.

5) There's no such thing as the "perfect" location in Big Sur. It's not a town, it's a region. Things are quite far apart. Wherever you stay, you're going to be far from something. Sometimes, a lot of things. Also, that oceanfront perch you're dying to check into, the one that looks so pretty in the pictures? More often than not, it's on the other side of Highway 1. Yes, the road gets quiet at night. Until it doesn't. If the resort or hotel or campground doesn't have a map posted on their site, ask. 6) No matter how beautiful, Big Sur is a tourist trap. This is an extremely popular tourist destination with a shallow labor pool. As such, too many service employees here are amateurish at best. (And don't think you're safe on the high end, either, far from it.) To be blunt: It's all highway robbery -- the point is to get taken for as little as you can. Just accept that your business isn't all that important to these places, and you'll be fine.

If you can't deal, step aside -- half of Germany would like to check in and/or order an $11 sandwich, please. 7) Staying at either end often offers great value. At the northern gateway is the Monterey Peninsula, which has plenty of traps of its own, both of the sand and the tourist kind. Still, here you'll find Pacific Grove, a quaint town in a prime position at the tip of the peninsula. Asilomar, a historic YWCA conference center in a state park, sits on a remarkable, rocky stretch of coastline. Rates can run quite low, even though you're just across the street from the world-famous Pebble Beach golf industrial complex and the beginning of their 17 Mile Drive toll road. (Sidenote: Save your $10 and go for a walk along Spanish Bay instead -- it's practically out Asilomar's front door, and that's one of the drive's best bits anyway.) If Asilomar is booked up or too pricey, a collection of affordable (and sometimes quite charming) motels just across the street will work as well. The Rosedale Inn, for example, has fireplace rooms for as little as $79, plus free continental breakfast.

At the southern gateway to Big Sur, the little beach town of Cayucos may be a short drive from the action, but there's something so breezy and pleasant about this seaside village, entirely walkable and with a handful of very good dining options. (At Ruddell's Smokehouse, they take tuna straight off the boat and smoke it, serving it up in giant tacos and over very good salads. Eat here.) Lodging isn't necessarily up-to-the-minute, but that's kind of the point. If Cayucos is too busy or too rich for your blood, Morro Bay is a couple more minutes to the south and possesses its own kind of charm. 8) Stagger your start time. You're going to wake up wanting to get right to it in the morning, and that's fine, but be aware that everyone else who's overnighted nearby is going to be thinking the same thing. Also be aware that people have to commute to their jobs on the same road you'll be trying to drive. Stagger your travel, either waiting until the smoke clears, or stopping a lot along the way until things clear up.

There's no real hurry, anyway -- nothing quite like the late afternoon light when it collides with wisps of coastal fog. Plus, driving the last patch of road after dark isn't the end of the world, either, should you decide to stick around for the sunset. And you should. 9) Don't be a snob. The highlights are often highlights for a reason. The likes of stunningly scenic McWay Falls (pictured up top -- I snapped that on my iPhone, those colors are 100 percent real) and Pfeiffer Beach don't need to justify themselves to you. The former doesn't require paying state park admission; you can find a spot along the highway, right above the Waterfall Trail that takes you to the viewing area. At Pfeiffer Beach, suck it up and pay the $5. Of course, all these admission fees can add up.

Unless you're going to give it the time it deserves, Andrew Molera is safely skipped -- it's a long walk through some rather dry, average scenery (it gets hot in there, too) to the beach (Pfeiffer is better) and the more impressive Headlands Trail, but to do it all, you're looking at three miles, which is more than most people feel like walking. Unless you're going to go the distance, save your $10. (Though you can always park on the road and sneak in, like many do.) The same goes for Point Lobos State Park, which besides often being so busy they won't even let you in, is just too crowded considering there are plenty of coastal bluff walks and unmarked little coves you can venture into on your own, just a short drive to the south. 10) Getting off the beaten path is really, really recommended. There are, believe it or not, other roads besides Highway 1. Explore them.

Narrow Palo Colorado Road disappears into a redwood forest dotted with envy-inducing Hobbit houses, while superbly treacherous Nacimiento Road (be careful!) makes a spectacular climb up and over the coastal range and down into a remote valley, where the remarkably primitive Mission San Antonio de Padua sees few visitors. Note: The campsites on federal land along a scenic creek running parallel to the road about 45 minutes away from Highway 1 make a fine alternative to the overcrowded coastal options -- $15 a night and no reservations required. 11) There is actually some good food here. The list is short, but potent. At the southern gateway is Sebastian's General Store, located at Hearst Ranch in San Simeon. They open at 11 in the morning; this is a fine place to eat an early lunch. Get the burger or the roast beef sandwich. It's historic, it's charming -- you'll like it. Up at the heart of what passes for an actual village of Big Sur (just barely!) is the justifiably famous Big Sur Bakery, perhaps your best bet along the entire route. Their sweets are superb and sell out too soon.

The actual menu -- flatbreads, entrees, soups, salads -- is far more serious than you might expect in such a casual location and generally very good. Caveat: If they're busy, be prepared to wait, sometimes too long. Impatient types can always just grab some goodies at the counter and keep moving. (Be aware that this is the only proper espresso bar along the entire route. There are other places to get coffee, sure, but this is the one you want.) If you require a proper sit-down meal, Sierra Mar's up-in-the-sky location at the exclusive Post Ranch Inn cannot be beat, here in Big Sur or in most places, to be honest. A $50 prix-fixe lunch menu is available to the public; reservations are a great idea. The food is fine, the service can be tepid. (A great way to get their attention: Try to walk off onto the resort's very private property. They usually wake right up.) For a sit-down lunch experience that's more low-key, the Big Sur Roadhouse serves three meals daily, straight through until 9 p.m., making it the best option for people who don't like to plan ahead. Good food, good drinks, nice vibe.

Breakfast is good too, but if you're coming south from Monterey at that hour, it's tough to beat pastries and coffee at the Big Sur Bakery. 12) And if you're hungry when you get out... Southbound, I always save my appetite for Robin's in Cambria. Touristy, but popular for good reason. Even if you just go in for the salmon bisque, some very good garlic bread and a glass of Central Coast wine, you've done good. Service is usually nice and the prices are fair. Northbound, Restaurant 1833, just a few minutes off the highway in Monterey, is a classy kind of place -- stop in for a cocktail and a bit of chill time by the fire pits, at least. If you want something quick, it's fun to stop in at the market and deli operated by Earthbound Farm (yes, that Earthbound Farm), a few minutes off the highway in the scenic-in-its-own-right Carmel Valley. A wander through the you-pick herb garden out back can be just the thing, after all that driving. 13) When you're done, be done for the day.

Rushing off to San Francisco or Los Angeles when you're through with Big Sur is a crime. There's too much else to see. The drive from Santa Cruz to San Francisco along Highway 1 deserves a day of its own. Santa Cruz itself is a must, so are the Santa Cruz Mountains -- think wineries and great redwood hikes. Southbound, don't miss Morro Bay for exemplary garlic fries (Giovanni's) and local seafood down by the docks, or quiet coves and forests of eucalyptus tucked away inside Montaña de Oro State Park in nearby Los Osos. Santa Barbara's wine country is also along the way -- that takes a day to do correctly, but if you've only got a little time, hit Zaca Mesa for a bottle of crisp and refreshing Viognier in their pleasant courtyard, stop at Martian Ranch to taste of some of the region's latest hits, then do lunch at Bell Street Farm, or early dinner at Full of Life Flatbread -- either way, you'll be eating some of the best food on the Central Coast. 14) One last time: Slow down.

It's easy to get into a rut of trying to make time, trying to overtake people, trying to break free from traffic snarls. The only thing to do when you get to this point is to pull over at one of the many (many!) turnouts and chill for a minute. If all you're taking away from your visit to one of the continent's most beautiful places is that the traffic was terrible, you did it wrong. Big Sur Coast California Travel & Vacation Guide Carlsbad Southern California Carlsbad Southern CaliforniaCarlsbad is known as "The Village by the Sea," due to its proximity to the glistening Pacific Ocean. There is a European feel to the town where visitors can enjoy a variety of unique events and activities. Yes, I’d like to receive regular email updates on activities, events, deals and more from Visit Carlsbad! Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail. Temecula Valley Southern California Temecula Valley Southern CaliforniaThe vineyards of California have produced some of the best wines the world over.

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Sonoma County Wine Country Sonoma County Wine CountryVisit Sonoma Wine Country. Eat, drink and converse like a local. Because when you're here, you're more than a guest, you're a new friend. Whether you want to sightsee, shop, dine, take in a show, relax or play (or all of the above), simply request our free Visitor Guide to help you get started. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail. Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks - Visalia Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks - Visalia Sometimes referred to as the "Gateway to the Sequoias," our city lies within miles of the Sierra Nevadas, the tallest mountain range in the contiguous United States. Visalia is the closest major city to Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks, home to the some of the largest vegetation on Earth: the Giant Sequoia trees. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.

Costa Mesa Southern California Costa Mesa Southern CaliforniaKnown as the "City of the Arts", this area of Southern California is home to the famed Orange County Performing Artscenter as well as the South Coast Repertory. Art, theater, fine dining and the shimmering sea provide visitors with a memorable and delightful experience. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail. Vallejo Bay Area Vallejo Bay AreaYour Bay Area Fun Starts Here. Explore San Francisco and the Napa/Sonoma wine country and stay in our affordable hotels. Attractions include Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Mare Island Historic Park, Jelly Belly factory, Sonoma Raceway, world-class golf, unique shopping, a thriving downtown arts & entertainment district, and direct ferry service to and from San Francisco! Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail. Carmel-By-The-Sea Monterey Peninsula Carmel-By-The-Sea Monterey PeninsulaIn Carmel-by-the-Sea you can dine at a number of four-star restaurants or eat al fresco at the beach.

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So come, dip into California's Cornucopia, and fill up on our place of plenty. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail. Catalina Island Southern California Catalina Island Southern CaliforniaDiscover the magical island of Catalina, just off the coast of Southern California. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a place to bring the entire family, or just need a few days to unwind, Catalina Island is the perfect destination. New Camaldoli Hermitage (Big Sur, CA) - UPDATED 2016 Hostel Reviews - TripAdvisor Breakfast included Official Description (provided by the hotel) we camaldolese monks greet you in the peace of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.We are a working monastery with accommodations and an environment geared toward spiritual retreats. Those looking simply for overnight accommodations are likely to be better served elsewhere.Here at the Hermitage,we offer retreatants a beautiful place of quiet and prayer. We ask you to maintain silence in your room, the kitchen and the area around the retreat house.

If you want to have a conversation with someone, please go for a walk down the driveway with them.Monastic prayer:The monks gather for prayer in the Chapel four times a day. You are most welcome to join us. The bell will ring 15 minutes before Vigils; 5 minutes before Lauds, Mass and Vespers. (The 5:30pm bell is a signal for monks in the cloister only)The regular schedule is as follows:5:30AM vigils (daily) 7:00AM lauds (daily)11:30AM eucharist (weekdays)11:00AM eucharist (Sundays)6:00PM vespers (weekdays)5:00PM vespers (Sundays)Liturgy of the hours:After the opening prayer of each service, a monk will offer assistance to those unfamiliar with the order of prayer. The regular schedule may be changed for Feast Days, Solemnities and Community Days.

There is also a silent half hour of prayer every day in the Chapel Rotunda immediately following Vespers.In addition to the daily prayer schedule, retreatants are invited to join the monks to pray the Rosary and participate in Collatio (scripture study). The schedule for these will be posted on the Chapel door.Spiritual counsel and reconciliation:If you would like to talk with one of the monks for spiritual counsel, or to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please make your request to the attendant at the bookstore who will make those arrangements.Meals and retreat house kitchen area:To maintain the gift of silence, all meals are eaten in solitude in your own room or garden.Your room is provided with an electric hot pot for hot water and packets of instant coffee, tea, a tray and dishes provided to pick up your meal from the retreat house kitchen. The retreat house kitchen is always open and is stocked with cereals, milk, fruit, yogurts, breads and a fresh Breakfast item which you may use to prepare breakfast at your leisure. From 1:30pm daily, soup, salad and a fresh Supper dish are also provided.

Please be sure to clean up after using any facilities.Take note of the two shower rooms on the right as you enter the kitchen area and the smallloan library in the kitchen. Please return borrowed books to the shelf before you leave so they may be made available to others.Bookstore:Open daily for check-in, books, music and gifts: Mornings; 8:00~11:15 a.m. Afternoons; 1:15~5:00 p.m.Personal calls can be made from the telephone booth at the bookstore whenever it is open.Because we have only this one booth please try to make your calls brief. The nearest public phone is located at Lucia Lodge, a short drive North on Hwy 1.Sending or receiving mail:Items for mailing can be left at the bookstore and the postage paid there. If you are expecting mail, please let the monk at the Bookstore know and check back there.If you are missing any items or have a problem or a particular need, please inquire at the Bookstore and the attendant will gladly help.Recycling:We provide containers in the kitchen area to recycle paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum.

Please be mindful of these when disposing trash.Hiking:Walks are a wonderful way to commune with God through the beauty of nature. We suggest you walk the main driveway, which is two miles long to Highway 1. Sitting areas are provided at various points along the road. Because of the widespread poison oak and in order to maintain the cloister of the monks, retreatants are asked to limit their walks to the drive and not to follow dirt roads or paths into the wilderness area. Please do not feed any of the wild animals.In an emergency:Notify the attendant at the bookstore. When the bookstore is closed use the intercom phone inside the kitchen: Call the GuestMaster, #108. If no answer call #115. For specific instructions in the event of fire please read the card provided in your room.Driving Driections:Our Hermitage is located 50 miles south of Monterey, Ca.; and 45 miles north of Cambria, Ca. on Highway 1. Driving time is about an hour and fifteen minutes from either Monterey or Cambria.

Our driveway is located on the inland side of the highway ½ mile south of Lucia (if you are driving from the north); 1 mile north of Limekiln State Beach (if you are driving from the south). ... more less Additional Information about New Camaldoli Hermitage Address: 62475 Coast HWY 1 at Lucia, Big Sur, CA 93920 Location: United States > California > Big Sur Price Range: $110 - $240 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room) Number of rooms: 12 Big Sur Camping Guide, Big Sur California Andrew Molera State Park (831) 667-2315 Andrew Molera State Park offers a walk-in campground with 24 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of four people per site is allowed. Park the car and walk a third of a mile to the camping area in a beautiful meadow. Containing 4,800 acres, Andrew Molera State Park is located in the spectacular Big Sur Area. The Big Sur River runs through the park. Miles of trails wind through meadows, beaches and hilltops.

The area is still relatively undeveloped and offers great hiking opportunities as well as fishing and beachcombing. The park is located 20 miles south of Carmel on Highway One. $25.00 per night with $10.00 per night for any extra vehicles. Bike & Hike campground available for $5/night per person. Bottchers Gap (805) 434-1996 Located among oak and madrone trees, this campground offers excellent hiking, views of the Ventana Double Cones in the Santa Lucia Mountains and more...No Crowds. Open Year Round. No reservations necessary. First come first serve. U.S. Forest Service Campground featuring 12 sites. Bring Water. Fernwood Campground (831) 667-2422 Tent and RV camping on both sides of the Big Sur River. Forest cabins with kitchens. Bordering Pfeiffer State Park with towering redwoods and beautiful mountain views. Adventure tents under the redwoods and tent-cabins on the river, access to hiking trails, horse shoes, volley ball, store, restaurant, tavern, and espresso bar. Home of the albino redwood tree.

Free Wi-Fi. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (800) 444-7275 Has two hike-in environmental campsites. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby 3,000-foot ridges. The park features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail. A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged coastline is available from the higher elevations along the trails east of Highway 1. The park is 37 miles south of Carmel on Highway One; 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.Restrooms and telephone available to the public. To make online reservations visit Reserve America . Kirk Creek Campground (805) 434-1996 This Family Campground is approximately 45 miles north of Cambria, CA and 60 miles south of Carmel, CA. Located on the west side of Hwy. 1 overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this campground is situated on bluff with fantastic views of the Big Sur coastline.

The sites are spacious and have a picnic table, fire ring and pedestal barbeque. There is one trail providing beach access from the campground, or you can drive 4 miles to Sand Dollar Beach, the largest sandy beach in the Big Sur area. It is a very popular spot for surfing, fishing (fishing permits are required for those over 16), swimming, exploring, sunbathing, etc. The beach is dog friendly as long as they are on a leash and they are cleaned up after. Directly across the highway from Kirk Creek campground is the Vicente Flats trailhead leading into the Ventana Wilderness. Within a short drive many trails can be accessed for hiking, backpacking, bicycling, hunting and horseback riding. These trails offer a variety of experiences including water falls, groves of Redwood Trees, breathtaking views, meadows and streams. The sites can be used for tenting or RVers. All roads are paved. There is no water so you must bring your own water. From November to February whales are migrating up or down the coast and sightings from the campground are frequent. The temperature is mild year round with the average in the winter being 64 degrees.

October-May is a great time to visit whether you are tenting or RVing and offers fewer crowds. Forest Service is enforcing the 2 car per site maximum at the campground. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance at or by calling (877) 444-6777 Limekiln State Park (805) 434-1996 Limekiln State Park has 33 developed sites on 716-acres. The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast. The park features the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns. The park is 56 miles south of Carmel, off Highway One; two miles south of Lucia. (making this about 28 miles South of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park) To make online reservations visit Reserve America . Aerial photographs of Limekiln State Park Plaskett Creek Campground (805) 434-1996 This Family Campground is located approximately 40 miles north of Cambria, CA and 55 miles south of Carmel, CA. It sits on the east side of Hwy.

1 and is just south of Sand Dollar Beach Day Use area which the largest sandy beach in Big Sur. is It is a very popular spot for surfing, fishing (fishing permits are required for those over 16), swimming, exploring, sunbathing, etc. The beach is dog friendly as long as they are on a leash and they are cleaned up after. The sites are spacious and have a picnic table, fire ring and pedestal barbeque. Campground is like a large meadow with mature pine trees located throughout campground. Within a short drive many trails can be accessed for hiking, backpacking, bicycling, hunting and horseback riding. These trails offer a variety of experiences including water falls, groves of Redwood Trees, breathtaking views, meadows and streams. The sites can be used for tenting or RVers. All roads are paved, water spigots are located throughout the campground and there are flush toilets and sinks in the restrooms. From November to February whales are migrating up or down the coast and sightings from the beach or bluff trails are frequent. The temperature is mild year round with the average in the winter being 64 degrees.

October-May is a great time to visit whether you are tenting or RVing and offers fewer crowds. Forest Service is enforcing the 2 car per site maximum at the campground. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance at or by calling (877) 444-6777. Aerial Photos of Plaskett Campground . Pondorosa Campground (877) 444-6777 or (805) 434-1996 This Family Campground is located in the mountains of Big Sur approximately 45 miles north of Cambria, CA (to Nacimiento/Ferguson Rd., County Road G-14) and 55 miles south of Carmel, CA (to Nacimiento/Ferguson Rd., County Road G-14). Ponderosa Campground has family campsites along a mountain trout stream under a canopy of beautiful trees approximately 13 miles east from Hwy. 1 on the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. The Nacimiento-Ferguson Road runs from the coast at Kirk Creek on Rt. 1 to the Big Sur high country.

38 miles east of Ponderosa, the road provides access to King City and US 101 via Jolon Road, passing through the Hunter-Liggett US Military Reservation. Ponderosa's rich environment contains Ponderosa Pine, Oak, Madrone & Sycamore trees in a high valley with the Nacimiento River running through the campground. The river is great for fishing and there are many places for a cool dip in the stream. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and pedestal grill and water is available in the campground from Spring Break to Thanksgiving. Average Temperature in the summer is high 80s to 90s in the day and high 50s to mid 60s at night. Wildlife includes Fox, Bobcat, Deer and Raccoon. Mission San Antonio, one of the oldest California Missions, is located a short drive away from the campground and features a museum, original aqueducts, Indian graveyard and chapel. There are many hiking/biking opportunities in the area.

There are first come/first serve sites or you can make reservations up to 6 months in advance for stays between May 1 to September 30 at or by calling (877) 444-6777. Point Lobos State Reserve (831) 624-4909 Point Lobos State Reserve is listed here although it does not offer any camping opportunities. It does allow day use and is one of the most beautiful spots along the Central California Coast. Located three miles south of Carmel on Highway One. Point Lobos contains headlands, coves, and rolling meadows. The offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters, gray, humpback, and blue whales. Hiking trails follow the shoreline and lead to hidden coves. World class SCUBA diving. Aerial photos of Point Lobos . Riverside Campground & Cabins (831) 667-2414 Our beautiful 16-acre dog friendly property offers RV and tent camping as well as 12 cozy cabins nestled in majestic redwoods along the Big Sur river.

Hiking and beach access are just minutes away. Enjoy seasonal catch & release fishing, swimming and inner tubing in the Big Sur river. Pet friendly. Free wireless internet. Treebones Resort (877) 424-4787 (877) 4BIG SUR Features seven ocean view tent campsites (along with the 16 yurts). Great views of the Pacific at Cape San Martin in south Big Sur. Can be reserved in advance! Campsite rates include full use of resort facilities (pool, hot tub, showers) and complimentary breakfast for two. (Maximum occupancy two guests per site) There are two restaurant venues at the Resort: Coastal cuisine boasting fresh organic greens harvested from resort garden and the famous Sunset Sushi Bar. Gift and Convenient Store. Ae rial photos of Treebones R esort . Ventana Campground Ventana Campground in Big Sur, located approximately 65 miles north of San Simeon and 30 miles south of Carmel, is an amazing 40 acre redwood canyon. All tent sites follow the existing contour of the canyon and Post Creek without disturbing its natural beauty.

We have three modern bath houses and each tent campsite has a picnic table and fire ring with water faucets a short walk away. Campers can access scenic and convenient trails to The Restaurant at Ventana and the Ventana Wilderness. We are centrally located near general stores, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, delis, taverns, and the post office in the Big Sur community. We look forward to welcoming you! Wondering where all these campgrounds are in relationship to one another? Click Here to view a map of Big Sur. DOGS Visiting Parks with your dog? FAQ. Click here Dogs at Andrew Molera and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Parks? - Click Here

Question: In which US state is the Big Sur coast?
Answer: California